Flowers Foods will make “a significant investment” with the opening of a bakery on NW Park Drive in Knoxville, Tennessee. The bakery, which is scheduled to open in late May, will include one bread line and is expected to create more than 100 jobs over time in Knox County.

“We’re excited to be opening Flowers Baking Co. of Knoxville,” said Gene D. Lord, Flowers Foods Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer. “This bakery will be producing Nature’s Own, Merita, and Wonder breads and will help us meet the increasing demand for these breads in a region that encompasses parts of Tennessee, North and South Carolina, and Virginia.”

“As we have said since acquiring the Hostess bread assets last summer, our plan is to open bakeries as we need additional production capacity to meet market demand,” Lord added. “The Knoxville bakery is strategically located to help us serve the market in this region with great-tasting, high-quality breads.” Flowers Baking Co. of Knoxville will initially employ about 60 people. This number will increase in the future as more production shifts are added.

“I want to thank Flowers Foods for investing in Tennessee, and I appreciate the new jobs being created in Knox County,” Governor Bill Haslam said. “Expansions like this one serve as the greatest endorsement of Tennessee’s workforce and today’s announcement supports our goal of becoming the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”

“I’m pleased Flowers Foods chose to expand here in Tennessee, furthering our world renowned reputation as a state where the artisan spirit continues to flourish. Whether it’s ice cream, M&M’s, or bakery foods, Tennessee prides itself on producing high quality goods enjoyed around the United States and the world,” Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty said. “I appreciate Flowers Foods’ investment and the additional jobs being created for our communities. I look forward to their continued presence and success in Tennessee.”

“TVA and the Knoxville Utilities Board congratulate Flowers Foods on its announcement to open a bakery in Knoxville, Tennessee,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “Working together with economic development partners like the state of Tennessee, the Knoxville Chamber, The Development Corporation of Knox County, and many other local officials, enables our team to help companies to recruit and grow hundreds of new jobs in Knoxville.”